Mister Romantic

by Alice Cooper

  “The man you love? Since when? All those years he looked at you with his little puppy dog eyes and you couldn’t give him the time of day. You really are something else, you know that Sally.” Mary shouted at her.

  “I think I’ve known it for some time actually, but I realized it once I was gone.” Sally admitted.

  “Is that right, isn’t that nice.” Mary looked at her with eyes that could kill.

  “Look Mary I didn’t come here to fight with you. I just want you to tell the truth and have those charges dropped against Johnny.” Sally explained.

  “You don’t want to know the truth; you want me to tell you he’s innocent. But he’s far from innocent. He broke my trust more than one time and that night was the final night he did it.” Mary stated.

  “How in the world would he break your trust? You set up the party right? He performed for you and your friends, what happened that made you mad?” Sally questioned.

  “Oh so he told you I set it up. I was wondering just how much he would actually tell you of the truth.” Mary laughed.

  “Remember Mary I’ve known you since you were a little girl, I can tell when you lie.” Sally reminded her.

  Mary’s face turned red. “You think you know me so well do you. Well do you know that the whole time I was with Johnny he always talked about you? No you didn’t. I can tell by the look on your face. I bet you didn’t know that he often screamed out your name in his sleep too. I know you two had sex before you left too. He didn’t want to tell me, but he talks in his sleep sometimes.” She stopped to try and regain some of her composure.

  “So you lie on him because he loved me? How does that make any sense?” Sally asked.

  “I’m not done telling you everything. He told me he hated you many times when I talked to him about calling your name out while sleeping. He said he would never go back with you. But I could tell he was seeing you, not me when we had sex.” Mary stated. “That’s what ruined it with us, you and your memory. He called me that last night right in the middle of his orgasm. He yelled out I love you Sally. Can you even imagine what that’s like?” Mary began crying.

  “I’m sorry Mary, I really am.” Sally hugged her friend.

  Mary fell into Sally’s arms and sobbed. “I really thought he loved me and hated you. He had me convinced of it. But then that happened, and all the other girls heard it. Everyone looked at me; I had tried to ignore it. However, someone else asked him what he had said. He didn’t even know he had shouted out your name either. He tried to apologize, said he was under so much stress and all this, all lies. He lied to me the whole time, why shouldn’t I lie now?” Mary stated.

  “Because you’ll ruin his life, his reputation. I couldn’t even get my old job back because of your lies. Why did the other girls go along with you?” Sally asked.

  “I asked them too. Some of them might have backed down during the trial, but just a couple of us would have to keep up the lie. Sally I want to hurt him, it’s not right he lied to me.” Mary said.

  Sally sighed. “I know he hurt you, but really when it comes down to it, I’m just as much to blame as him. But so are you, you knew how he felt about me for all those years. You used to yell at him and tell him to leave me alone. So why would you think it all changed?” Sally asked.

  “I wanted to believe it. He’s really good in bed, and I was all alone. David had broken up with me to move to Colorado. I didn’t have anyone, and Johnny was looking really nice. That Harley of his only adds to his sex appeal. He’d been working out in the gym and well he told me he hated you. I really thought he was being truthful with me.” Mary said again.

  “Mary why can’t you forgive him then? We always wanted the best for each other. I think he’s the best for me. I really never doubt that he will protect me and keep me safe. He makes me happy, and well he’s really a good person.” Sally said.

  “I don’t know Sally, it really hurt to hear him say those words that night. But I guess I could forgive him. I don’t know what the other girls will do. I can talk to them. I’m sorry Sally; I was mean to you when you were in Paris too. But I felt like you were trying to take Johnny, the sad thing is I never even had him even when I thought I did.” Mary cried.

  “Mary, I’m sure you’ll find someone. Heck maybe David will come back home. Look how quickly I made my way back. Maybe it is true what they say about Nebraska people, both girls and guys. We always want to come home, it’s in our blood.” Sally tried to cheer her up.

  “I did love him so much. It was a hard breakup, he didn’t want to go. But he couldn’t find any work here.” Mary said.

  “Why didn’t you go with him?” Sally asked out of curiosity.

  “He didn’t ask me. He just said that it would be far too tough for both of us.” Mary explained.

  “Maybe you should call him and talk to him, have you tried?” Sally asked.

  “No I didn’t I was far too upset about Johnny.” Mary admitted. “I had thought about it but was sure that he had found someone else.” She added.

  “I think you should call him, once you’ve fixed this other mess that is. I’m really sorry Mary, I didn’t mean for you to get hurt. I tried to tell you from Paris, but you wouldn’t listen to me. Then you told me he didn’t like me anymore and he said the same thing. I don’t know it made me very upset.” Sally explained.

  “I think we both wanted something different than what we really needed.” Mary stated.

  “I think so too.” Sally agreed.

  “So tell me about Paris, what was it like?” Mary asked.

  Sally sighed. “It wasn’t what I expected, but well it was my own fault. I was upset and confused from the start; all I could think about was Johnny. But then he turned me down and told me you two were dating. I thought another man there was interested in me, but he wasn’t. He slept with me once and left told me I was just a child.” Sally told Mary about Pierre.

  “Oh so you experienced kind of the same thing. Was he in love with someone else too?” Mary asked.

  “No he just wanted to sleep with me. I think he does it with all the tourists who show up.” Sally stated.

  “Was he at least good looking?” Mary asked.

  Sally told her about Pierre.

  “Oh he sounds cute; at least that’s one good thing!” Mary said.

  “I would have rather skipped the whole experience. But honestly, it was the push I needed to come back home. It must be one of the shortest trips in the history for a student who wanted to study fashion design.” Sally shook her head.

  “Did you go to school at all while you were gone?” Mary questioned.

  “No I couldn’t bring myself to sign up for any classes.” Sally admitted.

  “I’m sorry; I know you’ve wanted to do that for years now. Maybe you can talk Johnny into going later on.” Mary commented.

  “I don’t know, I’ll think about it, or I might just intern with someone in the states. There are several that I wouldn’t mind learning from. But for now I’ll wait and see what happens.” Sally stated. “So you’ll call them and have your charges dropped today?” Sally asked, making sure that Mary would remember.

  “Yes, I’ll do it right now. But I’ll call the other girls after, or they can hear from the DA.” Mary hugged her. “I’m sorry Sally.”

  “Thank you for telling the truth.” Sally got up to leave.

  The first thing she wanted to do was talk to Johnny. She picked up her phone when she stopped at a light.

  She’s going to call and tell them what really happened? Why didn’t you tell me you said you loved me while you two were having sex?

  Sally typed in and hit the send button. “It would have explained so much and she would have known right away what had happened. Not that she would ever accuse someone of rape who didn’t do it, but she would know any female would be hurt. Some would react in ways that perhaps were evil, like Mary did.

  I don’t believe it, wait until my attorney calls me then I’ll know for sure. I t
hink she is lying to you. She’s really good at doing that, if you hadn’t noticed before.

  Johnny responded back.

  Sally shook her head.

  I’ve known her since she was four years old, I know when she lies. I reminded her of that and she knew that I would be able to see through anything she said. Just be happy, she was calling as soon as I left her house.

  She replied.

  We’ll wait and see what happens. What about the other girls?

  His message came back.

  She thinks many of them wouldn’t have even made it through the trial, but she will talk to them. Or maybe she will let the DA do it, she wasn’t really sure. She was embarrassed about it. You know that is something that a female will hate. I hope you never say another person’s name to me.

  She sent back to him.

  Come over, I’m home.

  He sent her. Sally headed to his house. She figured a celebration would happen soon. She didn’t know how long it would be before the DA would tell Johnny’s attorney, but she hoped she was there when he got the news.

  Before she went over to Johnny’s she ran inside to see if her mom was there. Sally wanted to let her know that Mary had admitted Johnny hadn’t done a thing that night, well except upset her. But her mother wasn’t there when she walked in.

  Instead she went over to Johnny’s and knocked on the door. He came and answered the door, and gave her a hug and a kiss.

  “Welcome home.” He smiled.

  “Well close enough to home right.” She smiled back at him.

  Johnny got down on one knee and looked at her. He pulled a small box out of his pocket. “Sally Leach would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He asked her.

  She felt her knees get weak. “Oh my goodness, I wasn’t expecting this. Yes I will marry you Johnny Young.” She said.

  “Are you sure? Just in case Mary doesn’t call the DA, or one of the other girls goes through with the charges.” Johnny asked.

  “Mary can testify that you didn’t rape any of them, right? So why would we have to worry about it?” Sally asked.

  “I’m not sure how that works, I’d have to ask the attorney, but it seems like that would work. But again I know you swear she will do it, but I don’t believe her. You didn’t see her that night, or when she was putting on the show for everyone. I got jumped a few times by some of the guys from school. Thankfully, I’ve been studying martial arts and could protect myself. Unfortunately it didn’t help me much because I would get in trouble for fighting. Thus I must be violent.” Johnny explained.

  “Why didn’t you tell me all of this at first?” She asked.

  “Why? What good would it do for you to hear it? It wouldn’t make anything go away.” Johnny commented.

  “I know but at least I would have known what you went through while I was gone.” She stated.

  “I don’t want to drag you through it all. I can just tell you it was a living hell; I really thought I hated you for a while. But my love for you is far too strong for it to just disappear. I guess that night with Mary proved it to her, but to me as well. Honestly, before that night I would swear that I was over you. I know Mary thinks I lied to her the whole time, but I really didn’t. You messed me up bad when you left to go to Paris.” Johnny explained.

  “I’m so sorry Johnny. I wish I would have realized how I felt before I stepped on that plane too. It would have solved a lot of problems, or at least changed this situation, and a few others. I wish we could go back to that day when we were in the woods. I would have said something else to you, would have talked about how it made me feel. I was nervous; I was shocked that we had just had sex. I mean how many years did I put you off? Suddenly I’m feeling all these emotions for you that simply make no sense to me.” Sally admitted.

  “That wasn’t my problem. It was when you told me you were leaving in 3 days. I knew how I felt for you, and I had hoped it changed your mind. I know they say that a relationship shouldn’t be built on sex. But I don’t think I would change that happening that day. I would change what you told me right after though.” Johnny said.

  “I would too Johnny. I wouldn’t have left. I missed you so much when I was gone. When you told me you wouldn’t talk to me anymore, I just died a bit inside.” Sally said.

  “Imagine how I felt when you said you were going to Paris right after we had sex the first time?” He commented.

  “No I can get it. Really Johnny, I’m so sorry.” She stated.

  “Well now it’s in the past. If Mary does what you think she will, I don’t even know what I will do. I don’t know if people will believe the girls even after they change their stories. What I’m saying is that we may have to move someday. Otherwise I won’t be able to get a job, and you’ll have to support us.” Johnny said.

  “How would you feel about going to New York or maybe LA? I could intern with one of the fashion designers there, and maybe still be able to do what I’ve always wanted to do.” She asked.

  “We’ll compare the options and see what looks like the best choice. But I haven’t given up hope on staying here either. Both of those cities are so dangerous, I don’t know if I want to take a chance of you getting hurt.” He commented.

  “I’ll be careful no matter where we go.” Sally stated.

  “We have to get past this whole thing first. You would think that if Mary did what she said I would have gotten a call by now.” Johnny said looking at his watch.

  “It hasn’t been that long since I left her, maybe 10 to 15 minutes now.” Sally tried to cheer him up.

  “I just have this horrible feeling that it won’t go that way. That she won’t call, and the attorney won’t be able to plea bargain and I’ll be in jail for years. You’ll be out here by yourself and will get tired of waiting for me. Eventually, you’ll leave me for another man.” Johnny commented.

  “Is that why you asked me to marry you, because you thought I would stick around longer?” She asked.

  “It might have a little bit to do with it. But it is mostly because you told me I needed to decide what I wanted from you. So today I went to Grand Island and went ring shopping. I couldn’t buy anything in town, they wouldn’t sell to me. Can you believe that? Don’t answer it.” Johnny told her.

  “I can believe it honestly.” She began.

  He put up his hand. “I told you not to answer it. I know you’ve seen it.” He stated.

  “I’ve unfortunately found out just how judgmental people are in our little town since I’ve been back. The lady in the mall wasn’t the only one. I meet a couple of other guys we went to school with before that, and they were the same way. Mr. Samuels wouldn’t even hire me because he had heard a rumor about us.” Sally said.

  “Well that isn’t shocking to me.” Johnny said.

  His phone rang and he answered it. “Yes sure Mr. Wallace.”

  Sally watched as Johnny listened and talked to his attorney. She kept her fingers crossed and watched his face to try and figure out what he was hearing.

  “Okay, yes sir. I understand sir. Alright, I’ll come down there in an hour. Sure, I appreciate it.” She heard Johnny say.

  As soon as he hung up she asked. “Well, what happened?” She asked.

  “She did call and rescind her story. The charges from her are going to be dropped. The DA is dealing with the other girls right now as well. In an hour I’m supposed to go to my attorney’s office and I’ll find out what happened with them.” Johnny stated.

  “I told you she would call.” Sally said.

  “Okay so you were right about that. But I am telling you we need to decide what to do now. I don’t think anyone will hire me here. So what place would you like to move too?” Johnny asked.

  “I don’t care; either of the bigger cities would work. I’ll look up to see if there are any more in different cities as well. Maybe Chicago that might be a good place too.” Sally suggested.

  “Look them up when I go to see Mr. Wallace. Do you want to get mar
ried before we go, or after we get to where we are going?” He asked.

  “Well I would like my parents to come, but so many people in town have really made me upset. They judged you for a rumor, based on lies. We have to move because of those lies too. As far as I’m concerned there aren’t many people I would even want to come now.” She stated.

  “Where ever we go we can fly them out. I don’t mind that, are they going to be okay with you marrying me though? You’re mom stopped talking to me after she found out about the charges, I don’t think she likes me very much.” He said.

  “She will change her mind once she finds out that Mary was lying.” Sally said.

  “No don’t believe it. I’m telling you Sally; people will still talk and think I’m guilty. But your parents can come if they want. I agree with you there are too many people who I wouldn’t want to see at the wedding. Look up the places and let me know where you want to move when I get back though. It may be a quick move though; I want to start our new life together on an up note.” He stated.

  “Alright sweetie, I’m going to go home and talk to my mom and do some research. Let me know when you get back okay.” She kissed him and walked out the door.

  Sally went inside and called for her mom. “Mom, are you home?” She yelled out.

  “Yeah sweetie, I’ll be right down.” She heard her mom call from upstairs.

  A few minutes later her mom was downstairs. “Hey honey, how was your day today?” Her mom asked.

  “It was very nice actually. See what I got?” She showed her mom the ring.

  “Oh it’s beautiful. Oh wait, is that from him?” Her mom’s eyes closed a bit.

  “Yes it is mom. It’s from Johnny and I said yes. By the way so you know I also talked to Mary today, and she lied. Sit down and let me tell you the story.” Sally said.

  Her mom sat and listened intently as Sally explained what Mary had a little earlier in the day to her. She left out details about sex and all that, but gave her mom enough of the story so she could understand Johnny was not guilty.

  “Well I guess you were right to begin with.” Her mom said once Sally had stopped talking.